The nonstop city in the Middle East, the secular heart and soul of the country, there’s so much in this city to explore.
Shuks (Open Air Markets)
The open air markets are an iconic symbol of the Middle East, and you feel so immersed in the culture by visiting them. If no one’s yelling at the crowds to buy their fruit/nuts/knock off designer bags/whatever you’re in the wrong place. The most famous is probably the Carmel Market, which everyone goes to but it’s not the only one, but be sure to stop by on a Tuesday or Friday for the Nahalat Binyamin art fair where you can buy unique handmade crafts. The Levinsky Market in Florentin is certainly a must-see with the food stalls, Mizrahi (Middle Eastern) cuisine, and fragrant spices. The Jaffa Market in Jaffa is known for their enormous flea market, you can walk around for hours and still not see everything. When you need a break from shopping, stop at one of the cafes nearby for a coffee or a lemonade. The Sarona Market isn’t technically open air, but it’s still a fun place to visit. The recently renovated 19th century German Templar colony has now become a vibrant shopping center in the heart of the city. If you head up to the northern part of the city, HaNamal (Tel Aviv Port) is a very interesting place to go. The old port is now made up of several hangars and a boardwalk where locals and tourists alike visit to shop, eat, and play.
Beaches and Boardwalk
The beaches are considered to be the best in the region, make sure to pack extra sunscreen the sun is strong! For a nice breezy walk, head down to the Tel Aviv-Jaffa promenade alongside the beach and you might catch some musicians and street performers as well entertaining the beachgoers.
Have some delicious food
Tel Aviv has one of the widest varieties of cuisines I’ve seen in a major city. Some of my favorites include:
- Abu Hassan (Hummus), Shivtei Israel 14 or HaDolfin 1
- Hummus v’Shut (Hummus), Herzl 98
- Bar Gurion (Casual pub/restaurant), Ibn Gabirol 82
- Pancake House (Breakfast), HaTa’arucha St 3 HaNamal
- Goodness (Vegan), King George 41
- Mexicana (Mexican), Borgrashov 7
Dizengoff Street
One of the better-known shopping districts in the city, holding a massive shopping mall in the middle. If you go to Dizengoff Mall, be prepared to get lost inside, as even Israelis who’ve lived in Tel Aviv their entire lives cannot figure out this maze of a building. Head to Dizengoff Square to sit down by the fountain and people watch for a bit.
Rothschild Boulevard
The most expensive street in Tel Aviv, and arguably one of the prettiest as well. Take a walk or bike down the tree-covered walkway, maybe stop at one of the many juice bars along the way, or play at one of the brand new playgrounds installed.
Visit Jaffa
For those who love artists villages and ancient cities, Jaffa should be on your list. Jaffa is a very old city, considered to being around since 1800 BCE and was the gateway to the Middle East from the sea. This city became famous for its association to the story of Jonah and the Whale and its oranges (Jaffa oranges originated here and were a delicacy in high demand throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Must visits are the Clock Tower, Abrasha Park, St Peter’s Church, and the Jaffa Market. In Abrasha Park head over to the Wishing Bridge to find your astrological sign and make a wish while looking out onto the Mediterranean shoreline.
Street Art
Street Art in Tel Aviv
I honestly love street art so much. How there’s no one specific type of graffiti, and just rounding the corner can bring you to something completely different. Florentin neighborhood in Tel Aviv is the heart of the city’s street art, and it’s constantly changing. The walls are repeatedly repainted, and new art is born on…
Have a stroll through one of the many parks
For an urban jungle, there sure are beautiful parks dotted across the city. Be sure to spend some time at one of the grassy knolls and get some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle. Yarkon Park is the biggest in the city, and is filled with things to do, with botanical gardens, lakes, and even a water park. Nearby Yarkon is also the Tel Aviv University Botanical and Zoological Gardens, where it’s easy to lose track of time seeing all the interesting plants and animals.
Visit the Ben Gurion House
A small museum located in Old North Tel Aviv, close to the marina, that was David Ben Gurion’s (the first prime minister of Israel) actual house. The house is set up exactly as it was when Ben Gurion was living there, and tells his story.
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International Itinerary 